of West Helena, AR

February 19, 1923 - March 25, 2022

Russell Adrian Johnson, age 99, of West Helena, Arkansas, passed away peacefully at his home Friday, March 25, 2022. He was born on February 19, 1923, to Ruby and Ewell Johnson of Holly Grove, Arkansas.

Russell served in the United States Navy in WWII and the Korean War. After his return to the States, he went to work for Glasner Miller at Lewis Supply Company as a truck driver. Mr. Miller saw potential in this young man and gradually mentored him through the ranks of his company, which later became Southern Hardware Company, until he moved Russell into the position of President of the company. He worked there for 47 years, passing on all he knew and had learned in the hardware business to Mr. Miller's son, Tom. Russell was always grateful for the opportunities Mr. Miller gave him and tried to pass that along to the young men who came after him in the company. After his retirement, he loved to work tirelessly in his yard, play golf with his many buddies, and especially spend time with his family and his four grandsons.

Russell was a faithful and loving husband to his wife of 57 years, Vera Grantham Johnson. After Vera's death, he was blessed to have a very special friend and companion, Carolyn Roy of Helena, share his life.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Vera; his parents, Ruby and Ewell; and his brother, Col. Douglas Leo Johnson.
Russell is survived by his loving friend, Carolyn Roy; his two daughters, Marcia Cunningham (Joe Tom) and Karen Barrow (John); his four grandsons, Dr. John Harley Barrow (June), Joseph Cotton Cunningham (Gwin), Russell Joel Barrow (Darnella), Gordon Adrian Cunningham (with whom he shared a birthday); his great-grandchildren, Cole Barrow, Reid Barrow (Vinessa), Peyton Barrow, Gage Barrow, Kendall Cunningham, Blaine Cunningham and Liz Cunningham.

Special thanks go to Russell's caregivers: Josephine Speed, Flo Brown, Joyce Mitchell and the Elite Hospice nurses, aids and chaplains, who so lovingly cared for him in the last 5 months of his life. Special thanks also go to Mike Reyna and his wife, Brenda for all the thoughtful gestures of kindness.
Graveside services will be held at 2:00 Tuesday, March 29, at Sunset Memorial Park. A reception will be immediately afterwards at the Cunningham Pool House.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to Explorer's Bible Study, P.O Box 425, Dickson, Tennessee 37056 or the Helena First United Methodist Church, 502 Porter Street, Helena, Arkansas 72342.

Services are directed by Roller-Citizens Funeral Home, West Helena, (870)-572-2571. Relatives and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/westhelena.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Citizens Funeral Home
508 East Plaza Street
West Helena, AR  72390
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com